Snakes in His Pants: Passenger Stopped at Miami Airport with Hidden Reptiles

In a bizarre incident at Miami International Airport, a passenger was caught trying to board an international flight with a bag of snakes concealed down his trousers. The discovery was made on Friday, April 26, when security personnel detected an “anomaly” in the man’s groin area during routine screening.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) used Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) which flagged the irregularity, prompting a pat-down. During the security check, the man admitted to carrying the snakes, which were hidden in a camouflage-colored bag.

Upon further inspection, TSA officers retrieved two small, pink snakes from the bag. The incident immediately drew attention from law enforcement, including Police and Customs and Border Patrol, who safely handed the reptiles over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The peculiar nature of the incident sparked a flurry of jokes and memes on social media, reminiscent of the 2006 action thriller “Snakes on a Plane,” starring Samuel L. Jackson. The TSA’s post about the event also invited humorous comments from the public.

Speaking to The Independent, a TSA spokesperson detailed the events, explaining how the passenger had confessed to the presence of the snakes when confronted about the security alert. “It showed that there was an anomaly in the groin area and it marks it for a pat-down. When the passenger came through they said that they needed to do a pat-down and that’s when he admitted that there were snakes in his pants,” the spokesperson said.

This is not the first time TSA agents have encountered reptiles at security checkpoints. In January 2023, a passenger in Tampa, Florida, was found with a four-foot boa constrictor in their carry-on, which they claimed as an “emotional support animal.” The TSA humorously described the incident as finding a “danger noodle” and reiterated the inappropriateness of subjecting any pet to an X-ray machine.

Both incidents highlight the unusual and sometimes creative methods passengers use to transport animals. The Miami passenger was prohibited from boarding his flight, and both cases ended with the animals being cared for by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Such incidents, while rare, underscore the challenges and unpredictability faced by airport security in ensuring safe and regulation-compliant travel.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, independent.co.uk